THE FESTIVAL OF DHANTERAS

Dhanteras, when Hindus buy precious metals in the belief it would invoke prosperity, generally accounts for sales of 15-20 tonnes of gold in India. Dhanteras is the first day of the five-day Diwali Festival to follow and when Hindus buy precious metals like gold in the belief it would invoke prosperity. The word Dhanteras, Dhan stands for "WEALTH". On this auspicious day, Goddess Laxmi is worshiped.

Here is a story behind the Dhanteras festival, which says that once the sixteen year old son of King(named as Hima) was doomed to die by a snake-bite on the fourth day of his marriage as per his horoscope. On that particular fourth day of his marriage his young wife did not allow him to sleep. She laid all the ornaments and lots of silver coins in a big heap at the entrance their house and lighted in-numerable lamps all over the place. When Yama, the god of Death arrived there as Serpent his eyes got blinded by the dazzle of those brilliant lights and he could not enter the Prince's chamber. Thus the young wife saved her husband from the death. Since then this day of Dhanteras came to be also known by the name-"Yamadeepdaan" and lamps are kept burning throughout the night.

On Dhanteras, Hindus consider it auspicious to purchase gold or silver articles or at least one or two new utensils. It is believed that new “Dhan” or some form of precious metal is a sign of good luck.